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The Los Angeles music scene has produced some of the most iconic moments in modern music history.
The Los Angeles music scene has produced some of the most iconic moments in modern music history.
From the birth of punk to the emergence of rap, the LA scene has seen some of the most influential and memorable events in music history. Let’s take a look at five unforgettable moments that shaped the LA music scene.
What Music is LA Known For?
Los Angeles is a city known for its unique music scene:
- From pop to hip-hop, there’s music around every corner. It has been the birthplace of some of the biggest idolized performers like Michael Jackson, Gwen Stefani and Avril Lavigne.
- Artists like Tupac Shakur, Snoop Dogg and Kendrick Lamar have made LA the homebase of the rap music scene.
- LA musicians don’t just represent popular genres; it’s a diverse city with strong influence on jazz fusion, indietronica, alternative rock and other sounds that come straight out of the West Coast.
You can swing by any bar near Hollywood on a Friday night and catch live performances from every genre imaginable, or cruise down Sunset Blvd in search of country tunes echoing from the honky tonks. The best part about it? There’s something for everyone!
No matter what kind of music you like to listen to, the LA music scene is worth getting into. And taking music lessons can help. Consider signing up for music lessons soon – you’ll not only learn everything you need to know in order to tap into the best music scene in LA, but you’ll also gain skills like the ones you see in the video below:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdML79G45OQ
5 Moments That Shaped the Downtown LA Music Scene
Some might say that Los Angeles couldn’t exist without music. While that is certainly true, there was a time when the music scene in the City of Angels had yet to take its form. Los Angeles has long been known as one of the hottest places in the United States for music, but it didn’t get that way overnight.
Defining moments throughout the city’s musical history not only helped make it a major player in the industry, they also illustrated the talent, creativity, and diversity of the LA music scene. From symphony to hip-hop and everything in between, Los Angeles has been at the frontier of musical greatness since the early 20th century. To think it all began when Trinity Auditorium hosted Los Angeles Philharmonic’s first show in 1919.
How Hollywood Played a Part
The LA music scene was heavily influenced by the presence of Hollywood, largely due to it being the home of the rich and famous. Naturally, this attracted many musicians and singers to the area, to live and work making melodies for the many motion pictures being released. The Hollywood Bowl amphitheater was built long before, but held its first concerts in 1922. It went on to later host many iconic artists, including Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland, the Beatles, and Cher.
Radio Music’s Beginning and Ascent to #1
In 1922, the first LA radio stations emerged. Two of the first stations were KFI and KHJ, both AM-frequency channels. The start of these two stations was crucial to shaping the LA music scene because they broadcasted the songs of local musicians to Los Angeles. In the 1960s, KHJ became the nation’s most popular radio station by playing a fast-paced, top 40 countdown of hits. This was monumental because it turned the attention of the music industry to Los Angeles. It also showed that LA was a trendsetter in the industry.
The Palladium Opens
In 1940, the Hollywood Palladium opened with performances by Ol’ Blue Eyes himself, Frank Sinatra, and the Tommy Dorsey Orchestra. This event led to a number of future shows in Los Angeles by similar jazz artists, making it one of the leading locations in the country for jazz performances. The Palladium’s historic opening night cemented the venue, and Los Angeles, as one the best places in the country for live music. The Palladium’s proud tradition still holds its place today as wonderful performances continue at its Sunset Boulevard location.
The Beatles Beat All
August 28, 1966, at Dodger Stadium: the Beatles are playing, and the crowd goes wild. The performance is their second to last concert ever, with their final tour ending the next night in San Francisco. The fact that arguably the greatest band in modern music chose the City of Angels as one of their last live performances displayed just how important the LA music scene had become. It also put the attention of the entire music world on LA for the night. With bands like The Doors, The Byrds, and The Turtles also achieving fame locally and nationally at the same time, this night made it clear that LA was the leading city in the rock n’ roll world. Whiskey a Go-Go, after all, had become one of the best locations for rock concerts in America. The Beatles’ concert confirmed that LA was the place where the best would come to play and where the most creative would go to achieve greatness.
This event would go on to shape an influential 1970s LA music scene.
Guns N’ Roses Plays at The Troubadour Nightclub
Here’s a key contributor to the 1980s LA music scene: Guns N’ Roses formed and first played in LA. They put the city at the cutting-edge of heavy metal and hard rock, and that all began on June 6, 1985, when the band performed at The Troubadour in West Hollywood. Their energy, charisma, and downright insanity brought new life to the LA music scene and reasserted that the city was capable of cultivating any kind of music. Great shows at The Troubadour still continue, but that night was one of the venue’s most memorable.
NWA Releases the Album Straight Outta Compton
In 1988, Dr. Dre, Ice Cube, and the rest of N.W.A. released one of the most controversial albums ever: Straight Outta Compton. While a few of their songs led to radio bans nationwide and even got Dr. Dre’s recording company a warning from the FBI, the album did bring issues of racism, street violence, and drugs out from under the rug. Additionally, it catapulted LA to the forefront of the hip-hop universe and reaffirmed the importance of self-expression in music. It is undoubtedly one of rap’s most important albums, and it came right out of Compton.
These iconic moments have helped define the LA music scene in myriad ways. These events, and others, show the diverse array of music that has been created and played in LA. So many different styles of music came of age in LA and that tradition is being carried on by the eclectic mix of talented musicians that abound here today.
How to Get Into the LA Music Scene
Los Angeles is home to some of the best music scenes in the world. From blues to rock, hip hop to jazz, and everything in between, there’s something for everyone in LA. So if you’re an aspiring musician looking to break into the industry, here’s a quick guide on how to get started.
Step 1: Get Ready for Rejection (But Not Too Much)
Let’s face it – getting into the music industry isn’t easy. You’re going to face a lot of rejection and criticism along the way. That said, don’t let it stop you from pursuing your dreams! Instead, use it as motivation to keep pushing forward and refining your sound until you find success.
Step 2: Network Like Crazy
In any industry, networking can make or break you. It’s no different with music – you have to get out there and meet people who can help you land gigs or introduce you to other influential players in the scene. Start attending open mic nights, join industry-specific Facebook groups and start connecting with those who are already established within the scene.
Step 3: Promote Yourself Aggressively (But Not Annoyingly)
We all know that self-promotion is important – but don’t go overboard! Nobody likes someone who talks about themselves nonstop – so find ways to promote yourself without being obnoxious about it. Create social media pages dedicated solely to your music career and reach out directly (and respectfully) to venues or bands that might be looking for new talent.
Why Do People Go To LA for Music?
Los Angeles has long been known as a destination for those in the music industry. This is due to its vibrant and bustling music scene, which provides a plethora of resources for up-and-coming musicians.
Musicians who come to the region can take advantage of various recording studios, industry contacts, and classes in song writing and other skills.
Los Angeles has become home to many of the country’s most influential music labels, meaning there is an increased chance of getting noticed by major players in the industry. As a result, troves of aspiring artists flock to LA on a regular basis in hopes of making it big in the music world.
Does LA Still Occupy the Music Scene?
Los Angeles has long been considered as the epicenter of popular music – and for good reason. After all, the City of Angels boasts a plethora of influential music scenes that have generated an incredible array of exceptional tunes throughout the years.
Though other cities have begun to rise to prominence in the ever-changing landscape of the music industry, LA still stands tall as a stalwart purveyor of high quality beats and bops.
With mega talents like Kendrick Lamar, Anderson Paak and sixlack challenging its hip hop pedestal, and bands like Haim, Dawes and Warpaint ushering in a refreshing new wave of indie rockers while continuing to invite countless up-and-coming acts to its ranks, Los Angeles is still a musician’s paradise; one where talent is fostered with enthusiasm and admiration.
Breaking into the LA music scene isn’t easy — but it is possible! With dedication, determination, and a bit of luck, you too can make a name for yourself within this competitive industry. Just remember not to be afraid of rejection; take each setback as an opportunity for growth and never give up on your dreams! Consider signing up for music lessons with an experienced instructor who will be able to show you how to best pursue those dreams.
Most importantly, use these iconic moments that shaped the LA music scene as proof that it can be done. With any luck, you’ll be blazing the way to new and exciting music trends before you know it!
Megan L.